Apparatus for heating and emptying asphalt tanks



H. W. ASH

AIPARA'I'US FOR HEATING AND EMPTYING ASPHALT TANKS Filed Aug. 10. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 27, 1927.

H. W. ASH

APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND EMPTYING ASPHALT TANKS Filed Aug. 10, 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 27,-1927g NITED STATE nonacn w. Asa, or wmcnnsrnn, massacnusn'r'rs.

APPARATUS FOR HEATING AND EMPTYING ASPHALT TANKS.

Application filed-August 10, 1926. swarm. 128,508.

iis invention relates to devices for heatmg and emptying asphalt storage tanks or. the like. The invention is applicable particularly to steel storage tanks which are usually set above the ground, although the same may be used with equal advantage on tanks which are buried in the ground. As best suited for thedescription and disclosure of this invention, the following explanation is made setting forth its combinationwith a tank supported upon or above the ground.

Tanks ofthe character mentioned for either asphalt or for heavy fuel oils require heating coils on the inside, and on account of the size of the tanks are oftentimes seven feet or more 1n length and correspondingly heavy, the coils are customarily placed in the tanks at the time the tanks are manufactured. When the tanks"? are constructed in that manner, the coils are fastened to thebottom and sides of the tank in such fashion that they' will'not break loose in shipping. As a consequence of such practice in making the tanks, and on account ofthe number of joints which must unavoidably be made in such heating coils, there is constantly present the probability of leaks occurring when the coils are erected in final .position and tested before their actual I use begins. When such leaks happen, very shortly and after the tank has been filled, they cause the asphalt or oil to foam, and in the case of some oils, the presence of water causes the oil to thicken in such-manner that makes it practically unfitfor subsequent 1 uses. Even under conditions when'the tanks are built without coils and transported tov their destination and erected and the coils then introduced, when the tanks have tobe moved the same disadvantage generally.

follows. Another general objection to the present type of heating coils is due to the fact that the coils have to be located at the bottom of the tank, and when such tanks with coils in them are rolled as the car carrymanhole cover, showing the inlet, outlet and ing them to' the place where they are to be employed and upon their foundations, the

weight of the heavy coil makes the tank"exceedingly difficult to roll when the coil is on the ascending side, and the same weight is veryliable to make the tank get out of control'when the coil passes over the top and is 1 upon-the descending side 'of the tank; To

eliminate the difficulties above explained, I have invented the heating and discharging attachments for a tank as hereinafter disand the size of the coils which,

closed. This apparatus comprisesa double spiral 'coil ofpipe, which will afford sufli-' cient heating surface to roduce the heating efi'ect desiredin the tan and it is concentrated in the vicinity of the outlet or manhole of the tank. This location results in the condition that the melting of the material takes place. at a very ra id rate in the phalt which is adequately melted is drawn ofi' as rapidly as may be required, through the outlet pip'e. In the arrangement of the parts of this invention the heating coiland the outlet connection are all attached to the man'- hole cover, or an equivalent removable por-' tion of the tank, in such manner that the removal of the cover enables one to remove the whole heating system without disconnecting anything inside the tank. And when the manhole cover is replaced the various heat ng parts may be introduced into the tank through the manhole. It will now be understood that the tank from which the heavy coil and its associated members and the manhole cover have been removed, can be safely rolled down the skids or inclined platform and into position upon its foundation without danger of becoming beyond the control of the men moving it; 1

This invention comprises a heating coil formed of a continuous, seamless ipe, which has, therefore, no jointstolea tank on or off the cars.

and can readily be removed when the tank 1s shipped, 'makingit very much easier to handle they The preferred "construction of this inven- I discharge connections thereon. v

Figure 3 is a cross section on the horizontal brokenline 33 of Figurel'.

Throughout the drawings and description the same number is used to refer to the same part.

Considering the drawings, the tank 1 of any chosen form has the manhole casting 2 riveted in the usual way to the opening in the tank wall. Bolted to the casting or casing to the cover.

2 is the manhole cover 3. The manhole and cover may be of any selective size or shape desired within the urview of this invention. Passing centrally t rough the manhole cover and rigidly attached thereto is the discharge pipe 4, usually provided with a series of 'stufling box 6 to make a tight but removable joint. v

The heating element consists of a continuous length of heavy, seamless steel pipe. It is arranged in two concentric coils. The outer coil 7 has a connection 8 passing through'and rigidly secured to the manhole cover, and the inner coil 9 has a like connection 10- also passing through and secured Those connections are usuall arranged at the opposite sides of the dis-' charge pipe connection and substantially as shown in Figure 2. The coils carry the heating fluid which in practice is steam of suitable temperature. Within the outer coil 7 and welded to it at about every ten turns of the coil is a perforated sheet bent into a cylindrical form and having one end rigidly secured to the inside of the manhole cover around the inlet, outlet and discharge connections mentioned. The'cylindrical sheet is marked 11 on the drawings and is in fact a partial suport or stiffening element for the outer coil Throughoutan' portion of the cylindrl-- cal sheet are forfiie perforations 12, and such perforations may be in an order and of varyin size from top to bo m as described in my -atent No. 1,637,889 ranted Aug. 2, 1927. The perforations of different-size as stated render the cylindrical sheet 11 a selective strainer or separator for melted asphalt as explained in my said application. The sheet 11 may or may not have a cap 13 at the top as illustrated in Figure 1. The inner coil 9 has arranged lengthwise on the inside of the coil the bars'14, welded to-the coil at about every tenth turn.- The ends of the bars are rigidly secured to the manhole cover, and constitute in facta, support or stifiening frame for the inner coil.

In this application there has been shown the discharge pipe 4 running clear through from. the .bottom through the top of the.

tank, this pipe being perforated with three slots in the lower portion of the pipe through ifwhich the heated and fluid asphalt or oil enters the discharge pipe. If it is desired to draw off the heated material from the bottom of the tank,.;a;- cap 15 is screwed on the top of the discharge pipe as-shown in Figure 1. 'If it is desired to draw-ofi the member surrounding the the discharge pipe 44 both ends of the pipe being suitably threa ed for that purpose.

In the operation and as shown in the drawings, the stufling box 6 shown on the top of the tank is merely a device that will enable the heating members to be easily installed and 'to' make the connection between the discharge pipe and the tank perfectly tight,- after the manhole cover is bolted in place I 7 upon the casing 2. It believdto be apparent that this device bould .be used without running the discharge pipe out through the to and this invention isnot limited. to

a disc large pipe of any particular size or length, excepting that there shall be a discharge connection extending through the manhole cover or other removable] portion of the tank as stated.- The essential feature of this invention resides as described in the construction enabling the entire heating and discharging means to be removed or introduced and handled as onepiece, andin the employment of a continuous seamless, jointless tube for conve the steam of the necessary temperature uring the time required to render the asphalt fliuid and keep it so.

Having now described this invention, I claim 1. In apparatus of the character described, the combination with a tank provided with an openin affording access to the interior of-the tan of a removable closure for the said opening, a discharge pipe yertically arranged and passing outwardly through the said closure and bei attached thereto, the said discharge pipe aving an opening in its wall adjacent to the said removable closure, the remaining portion of the discharge pipe within the tank beingigllosed, a tubular harge pipe and spaced therefrom and extending tothe saidclosure, means assing through the said closure and. secure thereto and, located in PI'OX? said tubular member whereby materialflowing downwardly within the said member to the said opening in the discharge. pipe is constantly heated, and the said heating means,

'imity to the said discharge pipe within the v the said tubular member and discharge pipe l being constructed and arranged to.be intro-' duced and withdrawn from the tank' by the placing or removal of the said closure.

2. In apparatus of the character de: scribed, the combination with a tank provided with a manhole, of a manhole cover, heating means including a. continuous coiled tube having-its inlet and outlet. rigidly se-.

cured to the said cover for introduction and.

withdrawal through the manhole, 'a support for the said tube comprising a perforated she'et formed cylinderically in correspondence with the size of the coil of the ing secured to the said tube:i

. rigidly secured to the said cover.and to the fluid comprising an outer coile tube and an a perforated sheet formed cylindrically in terior of the -tank-and having a removable Lamaze 3 tube, one end of the said sheet being rigidly connection with the said removable ortion secured to the said cover, the said sheet beof the tank, of a perforated mem er rtand a discharge ta'ched to the said-removable portion around connection borne by the sai cover and openthe opening of the said discharge pipe, and ing into the cylinder formed by the sheet. means secured to the said removable por-tion 3. In apparatus of the character defor conveying a heating fluid and constructed scribed, the combination with a tank profor introduction into the tank. vided with a manhole, of a manhole cover, 8. In apparatus of the character deheating means including a continuous scribed, the combination with a tank having coiled tubehaving its inlet and outlet riga removable ortion, the said portion being. idly secured to the said cover for introprovided wit a discharge ipe passing enduction and withdrawal through the mantirely through the said tan the said pipe hole, a support for the said tube comprising being in open communication with the incorrespondence with the internal size of the connection with the tank and a coil of the tube. and arranged within the connection with the said removab coiled tube, the said cylindrical sheet being of the tank. of means for conve ing a heated permanent said tube, and a discharge connection borne inner coiled tube in communication with by the said cover and opening into the cyleach other, and each of the coiled tubular inder formed by. the sheet.

4. In apparatus of the character deopening through the said removable portion scribed, the combinatiion with a tank, the of the tank;

said tank havin an opening, of a closure 9. In apparatus of the character defor the said; opening, the said closure havingv scribed, the combination with'a tank having 7 a discharge connection, a perforated sheet a removable ortion, the said portion being formed cylindrically and secured to the provided wit a discharge connection, of said closure over the said discharge con-. a means for conducting a heating fluid comnection terminating'at the top within the prising a continuous .tube, one portionof the tank, and means for conveying a heating tube coiled about the other portion, the said flfiiid in proximity to the said cylindrical outer and inner coiled portlons of the tube s set.

5. In apparatus of the character dethe said removable portion, and means comscribed, the combination with a tank, the prising a cylindrical perforated sheet I at- 1-.

said ,tank having an opening, of a closure tached .to the said removable portion and arfor the said opening, a. dischargeconnection ranged between-the coils and secured to and extending through the saidclosure, a' peradapted to support the outer coil.

forated hollow member terminating at the 10. In apparatus of -the character detop within the tank and rigidly secured to scribed, the combination with a tank having the said closure around the opening of the a removable portion, the said portion being said discharge connection, and means for provided with a discharge connection, of

conveying a heating fluid in proximity to means and inside and outside of'the saidv perforated member. tube being coiled about the other portion,

6. In apparatus of, the character dethe said outer and inner coils having. ends scribed, the combination with a tank having secured to and passing through the said for conducting a heating fluid coma removable portion, the said portion being removable portion, perforated means exprovided with a discharge pipe entirely through the said tank, the said pipe making a tight joint between the said pipe of the tank, and means rigidly attached to a removable 'portion, of a'perforated disprovided with a discharge pipe passing tending between the coils for supporting the entirely through the tank, the said pipe outer coil, and means attached to thesaid being in open communication with the inremovable portion'candto the inner coil to terior of the tank and havin a removable support the inner coil.

connection with the tank and a permanent" 11. In apparatus of the character deconnection with the said removable portion scribed,the combination with a tank having the said removable portion for conveying a charge pipe having one end passing throughheating fluid and constructed for introduc the said removable portion of the tank and tion into the tank. securedthereto on one side of the tank, the. 'L'In apparatus of the character deother end of said discharge pipe passin scribed, the combination with a tank having through the opposite wall of the tank an a removable portion, the said portion being removable with said portion through the passing other said of the tank, removable means for being in 0 en communication with the inand the tank wall, means for conve.1ngterior of t e tank and having a removable heating fluid comprising a coil of pipe avconnection with the tank and a permanent ing outlet and inlet ends passing through e portion portions having one end' secured to and having ends secured to and passing through prising a continuous tube, oneportion of the and secured to the removable portion of the tank, the said coil being arranged adjacent to the said discharge pipe, and a straining member borne by the said removable portion of the tank and enclosing the said dis-.

charge pipe. 1 12. In apparatus of the' character described, the combination with a tank having a removable portion, of a perforated (11$- charge pipe having one end passing through the said removable portion of the tank and secured thereto, the other end of said discharge pipe passing through the opposite.

wall of, the tank and removable with said portion through the other side of the tank, removablev means ,for making a tight joint between the said pipe and the tank wall, means for conveying a heating fluid comprising a coil of pipe having outlet and inlet ends passing through and secured to the removable portion of the tank, and a perforated cylinder surrounding thesaid discharge-pipe and being attached to the coil of pipe and-to the said removable portion of the tank.

13. In apparatus of the character described,=the combination with a tank having a removable portion, of a perforated discharge pipe having one end passing through thesaid removable portion of the tank and being secured thereto, th'eother end of said discharge pipe passing through the opposite wall of the tank and removable with said portion through the other side of the tank,

removablemeans for making a tight joint between the said' pipe and the tank wall, means for conveying a heating fl uid comprising a continuous coil formed into two coils one coil within the other and having their ends passing through and bein secured to the said removable portion 0 the tank,- and a perforated sheet arranged between the'said coils and being connected with one of the said coils and the said removable portion of the tank.

14. In apparatus of the character de-- scribed, t he combination'with a tank having a removable portion, of a perforated discharge pipe having one end passing through the said removable portion of the tank and securedthereto, the other end of said .dis

char e i e assin throu h the o osite wall of tlib tlink aid remd vable witilf said portion through the other side of the tank, removable means for making a tight joint between the said pipe and the tank wall,

means for conveying. a heating fluid com-,

prising a continuous tube formed into two coils one within the other and having their removable portion of thetank and secured thereto, the said pipe being perforated near its junction with the said removable portion, the said pipe passing through the tank and removably through the side wall of the tank opposite said'removable' portion, means for making a tight detachable joint between the said pipe and the tank wall, means for conveying a heating fluid comprising a continuous pipe formed into two coils one within the other and having their ends passing through the said removable portion of the tank and secured thereto, and each of said coils having means attached to it and to the said removable portion of the tank to sup port the'coil, the said supporting means for the outer coil being constructed as a strainer.

v In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

rionaon w. A'SH. 

